Rotunda, University of Virginia
Historic building at the University of Virginia. Added to the National Register in 1966, and a National Historic Landmark.
What it is
The Rotunda is a building located on The Lawn on the original grounds of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson designed it to represent the "authority of nature and power of reason" and modeled it after the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed shortly after Jefferson's death in 1826. The campus of the new university was unique in that its buildings surrounded a library rather than a church, as was common at other universities in the English-speaking world. To many, the Rotunda symbolizes Jefferson's belief in the separation of church and education, and represents his lifelong dedication to education and architecture. The Rotunda was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, and is part of the University of Virginia Historic District, designated in 1971.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Building |
| Address | University of Virginia, Charlottesville (Independent City), VA |
| Independent city | City of Charlottesville |
| Listed | Oct 15, 1966 |
| Listed for | Education |
| Level of significance | National |
| Also known as | See Also:University of Virginia Historic District |
| Reference number | 66000937 |
| Type of place | building |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark, Virginia Historic Landmark |
| Contributing resources | 1 building |
| Standing | Yes |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | University of Virginia, Charlottesville (Independent City), VA |
| Coordinates | 38.0356° N, 78.5035° W · Directions ↗ |
| Also in Charlottesville (Independent City) | 65 listed places in Charlottesville (Independent City) → · walking tour → |
| Nearest national park unit | Green Springs · 17 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Loft Mountain Campground 17 miles · Sherando Lake Group Camp 27 miles · Sherando Lake Group Picnic Shelter 27 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 3 records ↗
Map
Nearby in City of Charlottesville
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Guidebooks to historic places in Virginia
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Rotunda, University of Virginia listed on the National Register?
Oct 15, 1966. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
Can I visit Rotunda, University of Virginia?
Yes. Rotunda, University of Virginia is recorded as open to the public.
Source: Wikidata
Where is Rotunda, University of Virginia?
University of Virginia, Charlottesville (Independent City), City of Charlottesville, Virginia. The nearest national park unit is Green Springs, 17 miles away.
Source: Green Springs
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Rotunda, University of Virginia?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Rotunda, University of Virginia?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Rotunda, University of Virginia?
Three federal campgrounds are within reach. The closest is Loft Mountain Campground, 17 miles away. Sherando Lake Group Camp is 27 miles away, and Sherando Lake Group Picnic Shelter is 27 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Rotunda, University of Virginia?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 66000937. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.